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St. Johns Volunteers! is now offering a new online resource. Visit our Calendar of Charitable Events webpage where you can view a chronological list of charitable events which are hosted annually by St. Johns County nonprofit organizations.

Enjoy reviewing this new nonprofit special events calendar. We encourage you to find an event – or events – that you’d like to support with your time or treasure!

Representatives from nonprofit organizations can add events to this community calendar by emailing event details to: volunteer@stjohnsvolunteers.org

Homeless “Point in Time Count” Volunteers are needed to help conduct an annual survey of St. Johns County’s homeless population. This annual project helps to collect data on the needs for homeless and contribute to the local policies, procedures and services offered to homeless residents.

Volunteers are needed in the following capacities:

Survey volunteers (To assist with the interviews and assessments). Volunteers can either volunteer for a full single day or a 1/2 day (4 hr. shift). All citizen volunteers will be paired with a Team Leader and will receive specific location assignments following training.

Shift Times for Survey Volunteers:

MORNING. Tuesday, January 23, 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

AFTERNOON. Tuesday, January 23, 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM

FULL DAY. Tuesday, January 23, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Requirements:

Friendly and compassionate personality

Attention to detail

Ability to fill out written survey documents

Reliable transportation, as this survey is conducted in locations throughout St. Johns County

Training:

Training will be provided for all volunteers.

Participation requires all volunteers to attend one of the Point in Time Survey training sessions, which will cover the survey collections process and safety protocols.

Training Dates (Survey Volunteers must attend one of the following training sessions):

Local Continuum of Care alliances must plan and conduct, at least biennially, a Point in Time count of homeless persons within the geographic area. Point in Time counts are carried out on one night in the last 10 calendar days of January or at such other time as required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 2018 Housing Inventory Count and Point in Time count data provide critical updates on national and local progress towards preventing and ending homelessness.

The 2018 St. Johns County Point in Time Count is being conducted in coordination with local agency homeless services providers and St. Johns County Care Connect.

As part of our 2018 New Year’s celebration, St. Johns Volunteers! is conducting a volunteer Talent Search! We are seeking to identify residents of St. Johns County who possess talents and skills which match needs with our local nonprofit sector.

St. Johns Volunteers! is inviting citizens of all ages with an interest in volunteering during 2018 to register their talents and skills online by completing a simple online volunteer registration form.

There is an ongoing need in our community for volunteers with a wide array of personal and professional skills who desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Volunteers are needed to assist local nonprofit agencies with a variety of short-term tasks and also longer-term job assignments for individuals with greater time availability.

By registering online as a community volunteer, individuals can login to a personalized volunteer profile and view lists of recommended volunteer opportunities which may match the talents, skills and interests communicated during registration.

Once registered, St. Johns Volunteers! may also inform you of opportunities which specifically match your interests, skills and talents.

Start off the New Year with a resolution to volunteer your time in local service. Register online today! stjohnsvolunteers.org

Volunteers are needed for the 17th annual Rick’s Family & Friends Christmas Celebration Meal to be held on Monday, December 25th from 11-2 p.m. on Christmas Day at the National Guard Armory, 190 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine, Florida. This special Christmas meal is open to the public. Over 300 guests are expected to attend the 2017 Christmas Celebration Meal. All volunteers will be warmly welcomed!

Volunteers are asked to arrive at the Armory at 10:00 a.m. and will receive a brief overview of assignments. Volunteers can assist with event set-up, serving meals, visiting with meal attendees and event wrap-up. (*If you’d like to volunteer and cannot arrive before 12 p.m. – afternoon-only “relief” volunteers would also be welcomed.)

Requirements: A desire to be of service on Christmas day!
Attire: Volunteers are encouraged to wear festive holiday-themed attire. Practical footwear recommended.
Training: Basic instructions will be provided. A short briefing for volunteers will be held at 10:00 a.m.

During the event, approximately 100 donated backpacks filled with practical supplies will distributed attendees.

Flagler Hospital Presents $100,000 Grant to St. Johns Volunteers!

Saint Augustine, FL – November 3, 2017 – Earlier this week, Flagler Hospital CEO Joe Gordy presented a grant of $100,000 to St. Johns Volunteers! on behalf of Flagler Hospital. The funds will enable St. Johns Volunteers! to expand its operations, supporting Flagler Hospital’s commitment to building a healthier community. Working in partnership with the Community Leadership Council, St. Johns Volunteers! is key to achieving the council’s vision to create a “Community for a Lifetime” – a safe, inclusive, welcoming community with opportunities for all residents to learn, work, play, contribute and remain healthy and independent.

“We know that staying active and engaged improves quality of life. In fact, research has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health. Those who volunteer, especially later in life, have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression than those who don’t,” commented Flagler Hospital CEO Joe Gordy. “This initiative is one of many that will ultimately help St. Johns County and Flagler Hospital collectively become a national model for community-based care.”

St. Johns Volunteers! was established to expand the capacity of local nonprofit organizations by providing a connection point for volunteerism. St. Johns Volunteers! offers an array of programs and services designed to link individuals, families, organizations and businesses with opportunities to make a positive impact.

“We appreciate Flagler Hospital’s investment in our community and specifically this generous support of St. Johns Volunteers!” stated Susan Ponder-Stansel, president and CEO of Community Hospice, chair of the Community Leadership Council and vice chair of the St. Johns Volunteers! Board of Directors. “This is yet another example of how Flagler Hospital serves as a catalyst for so many programs that improve our community’s health and quality of life.”

Carol Saviak, who has served as director of volunteer services for Flagler Hospital and supported the creation and operations of St. Johns Volunteers! through a management services agreement with Flagler Hospital, will now serve as the organization’s first, full-time executive director.

About Flagler Hospital

Flagler Hospital is a 335 bed, acute care hospital that is ranked among the top hospitals in the nation for clinical excellence by HealthGrades. The hospital has operated as a not-for-profit healthcare institution in St. Augustine, Florida since its founding in 1889. Flagler Hospital’s focus on quality has resulted in numerous national accreditations including, ANCC Magnet Status for Nursing Excellence, the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Care Centers, National accreditation for its total hip and total knee replacement programs and accreditation of its Cancer Institute by the Commission on Cancer. To learn more about all of the hospital’s services log on to www.FlaglerHospital.org.

St. Johns Volunteers!, Inc.

St. Johns Volunteers! is a private independent 501-c-3 organization established in 2015 to provide a community connection point for volunteerism in St. Johns County. The mission of St. Johns Volunteers! is to connect people and resources to enrich the quality of life in St. Johns County. St. Johns Volunteers! seeks to match the unique talents of individuals who desire to make a difference in the lives of others with rewarding local service opportunities. The organization hosts an online volunteer opportunity website which makes it easy for citizens to search local volunteer opportunities at any time and operates a volunteer resource and nonprofit training center. The St. Johns Volunteers! center is located in the St. Augustine Record Building, 1 News Place, Suite A, St. Augustine, Florida. Telephone 904-584-9600. Website: www.stjohnsvolunteers.org.

St. Johns Volunteers! would like to offer its heartfelt thanks to our community volunteers, nonprofit organizations, business partners and donors as we celebrate this Thanksgiving season. We are thankful for your many contributions of time and talent!

Florida Health Care Plans has joined St. Johns Volunteers! as one of our new Legacy Business Partners. Florida Health Care Plans is one of Flagler Hospital’s insurance partners and offers valuable resources for seniors who may be seeking a quality health care insurance provider.

“We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Florida Health Care Plans,” states Carol Saviak, executive director of St. Johns Volunteers!, “They provide an excellent level of customer service and appreciate the community service contributions of volunteers in our community.”

As part of the partnership with St. Johns Volunteers!, Florida Health Care Plans is offering a seminar onsite at the St. Johns Volunteers! Center to help educate citizens over 65 years of age on facets of a brand new health care plan being offered for the first time to St. Johns County seniors.

To learn more about Florida Health Care Plans visit their website at https://www.fhcp.comor call 1-800-352-9824.

St. Johns Volunteers! is pleased to welcome FPL as a new Business Program Partner and sponsor of St. Johns Volunteers! work to empower volunteers in St. Johns County. Jim Bush of FPL dropped by the Volunteer Center today to present their sponsorship check in person. “FPL is a valued corporate partner,” commented Carol Saviak, executive director of St. Johns Volunteers!, “The FPL family of employees provide an incredible level of community service each year, in addition to their traditional business services. We sincerely appreciate their generous support for our local nonprofit network.”To learn more about FPL’s dedication to building stronger communities, please visit:https://www.fpl.com/community/volunteers.html

St. Johns Volunteers! is seeking to identify individuals in St. Johns County who might enjoy single-day community service opportunities. Several of our nonprofit partner organizations are seeking volunteers to assist with upcoming special events. Special event volunteers make a difference in our community by enabling our local nonprofit organizations to produce and host large-scale fundraisers and community events. Without the help of event volunteers, hosting large scale events would not be possible for many local nonprofits. Special events are also a lot of fun – and a great way to meet new friends. Below are a few single-day event opportunities where volunteers are needed:

Empty Stocking Fund

Needs 7 volunteers to assist with guest check-in and registration at an evening event on September 8th: Cava Reception & Dinner, a Spanish Wine Festival Event, benefiting three local charities.

FOSAA Children’s Art Festival

Dozens of volunteers are needed to support this large-scale, family-friendly event at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre on October 15th. This event features a variety of hands-on, interactive booths where children can experience music and the arts. Four shifts options are available: Morning, Afternoon, Full-day and Set-Up.

VeloFest

Seeking to enlist a large number of volunteers to support our upcoming Jail Break 5k “Escape from St. Augustine” to be held on October 28, 2017. There are many volunteer opportunities to help, including pre-race promotions, packet pick-up, race event day volunteers, water stops, registration, bike rodeo, finish line guards and more.

If you see a volunteer opportunity listed above or on our website that you’d like to support with your time and talent, there are 2 ways to apply: 1) Visit our website where you can read the full details of the volunteer opportunity posting, Login to your profile and Apply online. 2) Send an email which includes your name, telephone number and references the opportunity (or opportunities!) of interest to volunteer@stjohnsvolunteers.org. We will provide your name to the volunteer coordinator for that special event.

There are a wide array of volunteer service opportunities and nonprofit organizations profiled on the St. Johns Volunteers! website. Our nonprofit partners regularly update their needs, so it is important to check back regularly. You can also view the matched “Recommended Opportunities” – a special feature you can view whenever you login to your volunteer profile.

Our goal is to help you find a perfect match for your volunteer interests! Special event volunteerism is a great way to learn more about our local nonprofits and the services they provide to our community.

Thank you for your time and willingness to serve as a community volunteer in St. Johns County! With Regards, Carol Saviak, Director, St. Johns Volunteers! Volunteer Center 904-584-9600